Electronic amplifier



Oct. 16, 1956 M. E. HxNEs ELECTRONIC AMPLIFIER Filed Dec. 50;'19'49 bblhbb United States Patent C) ELECTRONIC AMPLIFIER Marion E. Hines, Summit, N. J., assgnor to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 30, 1949, Serial No. 136,067

Claims. (Cl. 315-35) This invention relates to high frequency electronic ampliers, particularly those of the traveling Wave type in which a relatively long electron beam is projected along an electrical wave transmission circuit in such proximit) as to be coupled thereto.

. The general objective of the invention is to provide improved electron beam type traveling wave amplifiers.

A more specific objective is to reduce the undesirable noise components in the output signal of such devices.

Another objective is to provide an improved means generally useful for reducing the accumulation of positive lons in long electron beams.

Another objective is to provide means for reducing the production of secondary electrons in long beam tubes.

Another objective is to provide improved electron co1- lecting means suitable for use in reducing secondary electron production.

It has been found in the operation of long beam ampliiier tubes that troublesome noise may occur in the output circuit, which appears to be due to the trapping of positive ions along the electron beam Where a potential depression is formed by space charge.

It has also been found that some noise components are affected by the amount of secondary electron emission and that the output noise may be reduced by suppressing the production of secondary electrons.

According to this invention the noise due to positive ion trapping is reduced by providing an electrode in the form of a helix which surrounds both the electron beam and the transmission circuit'with which the beam interacts and which may also be a helix. This outer helical electrode is held Iat a potential different from that of the transmission circuit and cooperates to produce a transverse static electric eld which tends to move the positive ions transversely out of the electron stream and so prevent their accumulation there to a troublesome degree. The construction of this outer ion removing electrode in helical form is an important feature of the invention as it presents an important advantage in that by its Vuse it is possible to heat all the tube parts including this electrode by high frequency induction heating to elfectively remove occluded gases during vacuum pumpmg.

The second type of noise referred to above, that resulting from secondary emission is reduced by utilizing an electron collector whichy is maintained at a high potential and has novel features to provide for expansion due to heat 'and for heat radiation.

. The details of the invention are explained more fully in the following description and the accompanying draw# ings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a complete traveling wave amplifier, the tube of which incorporates the features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is 'an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 1 to show'details of construction more clearly; and

Fig. 3 s a sectional view of Fig. 2.

Referring now to Fig. 1, this drawing shows the tube and circuitsbroken in the center in a ,conventional man?Y 2,767,344 Patented Oct. 16, 1956 ice ner `so that the elements may be shown in a scale sufficiently large. To show the entire length of the typical tube at the scale employed would require about twice the length of the drawing space.

The description which follows is directed first to Fig. l but reference should also be made to the larger scale drawings Figs. 2 and 3 which show more clearly some of the details of Fig. l. Similar elements are similarly designated in the three figures. Therefore, the following description where applicable refers to all three gures and is fully descriptive of them.

In the drawings the evacuated envelope of the amplifier tube which may be of glass or other suitable material is indicated by the designation 1. Within this envelope are electronic and high frequency circuit elements. The cathode 2 has an emissive coating on the surface 3 which is heated by means of heater 4. Energy for the heater is derived from the battery 5 to which it is connected. The electron beam-forming electrode 6 is shaped and positioned with respect to the cathode to direct the electrons in parallel paths toward the electron collector 19. Element 7 is an electron accelerating electrode with an associated grid 8. The helix 10, of conducting material, provides the high frequency electrical wave transmission path through the tube and is designed so that the phase velocity of the wave along the axis of the helix is substantially the same as the velocity of the electron beam projected along the axis. Ceramic rods 11 support and position `accurately the helix 10 and at the ends are tted into notches in the metallic collars 13 and 14. These rods 11 support the helical ion removing electrode 12 which is shown as wound on the four ceramic rods 11 outside of the helix 1G and is thus positioned between the helix 10 and the envelope 1. This is shown clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. The helix 12 is preferably of liner wire than that of helix 10 and wound with finer pitch. Also it should not be coupled to the input and output circuits as is the helix 10, and is therefore restricted in length so that the ends do not extend into the coupling regions of the input `and output wave guides 17 and 18. With this lack of coupling and the type of construction of this helix 12 there is substantially no transfer of high frequency energy to it. This helical electrode 12 as shown is maintained at a potential negative with respect to the potential of the helix 10 by means of the lead 23 which is connected to 'a tap on battery 9, a more positive potential point of which is connected to the helix 10 through the lead 20 which passes between the ceramic ring 26 and the envelope 1 to connect with the collar 14 and thence through the coupling stub or connector 16 to helix 10. Without departing from the invention the helix 12 may be held at a potential positive rather than negative with respect to helix 10. The above-illustrated difference of potential between the helices 10 and 12 produces a field penetrating into the helix 10 which will tend to pull positive ions in the `axial electron beam out between the turns of helix 10 to helix 12 where they will be collected and neutralized. if the potential difference is reversed so that the helix 12 is positive with respect to helix 10 the penetrating eld will tend to collect the positive ions on the helix 10.

The connector 16 between the output end of helix 10 and the collar 14 couples the output end of the helix to the output wave guide 18. The collar 14 terminates the output end of the helix 10 and by-passes the electric wave from the output end of the helix to the output wave guide 18. The connector 15 between the input end of helix 10 and the collar 13 couples the input end of the helix to the input wave guide 17. The collar 13 terminates the input end of the helix 10 and by-passes the electric wave from the input end of the helix to the input wave guide 17. The potential source 9 provides potential differences between the cathode and electron accelerator 7,

the ion removing helix 12 and the helix 10 b'y means 'of the leads shown and referred to above. An additional potential source Y23 islconnectedvbetween the positive terminal ofk source 9 and the electron collector 1910 maintainlthe collector ata potential higherA thanrthat ofthe Vhelix 10; Operating the collector at this higher potential hasrthe erect of suppressing low velocity secondary electrons which in turn has the effect of reducing the noise induced in the output circuit of the tube. Novel vfeatures of the collector and'its mounting are'the shape of the collector, which `is conical so that the Aelectrons impirig' uniformly over a large surface for. uniform temperature and heat radiation, and the helical spring support 27, which providesa long( path for reduction of heat conduction to the glass sealand also holds theassembly together while permitting expansionrwith heating. These features are obviously of importance Vwith relatively large dissipation of energy in the form of heat at the collector. Dissipative material V2l capable of absorbing high frequencyY energy isdeposited non the ceramic rods 11 on the inwardly facing surfaces only so that it is not in contact with the turnsI of helix 12. This lossmaterial 21 provides. a certain amount of attenuation to the high frequency wave'in the transmission circuit along which the electron beamramplifies the Wave energy which is irnportant'in a wave amplifier of this type. The solenoid 24 which may be energized from any direct current source' such as battery 25 serves to provide an axial magnetic focusing field throughout the length of the electronbeam. It should be noted in this connection that with this type of focusing arrangement the tube material must be nonmagnetic. Y

In operation of the ampliierl'ofFig. l the wave to be Y amplilied enters through the input Vwave guide 17, is transferred to the input end of the Yhelix 10, through the coupling connector 15 which is in the lield of the wave guide,

and is'transmitted along thehelix to thecoupling con-V nector 16 at the output end of thel helix by which it-isV transferred toA output wave guide '18.*',The electron beam originating at the cathode .surface 3 is projected along the axis of the helix 10 to the collector 19. The helix 10 Y provides a wave transmission path severalwavelengths projected therealong, such a velocity being `necessary to'.

allow amplification of the wave. Final adjustment-of the electron beam velocity may be made by adjustment of the electron accelerating voltage.

kWith the tube adjusted and in operation there is interaction between the high frequency field of the helix lil and the electron beam, so that the input high frequency wave applied to the helix l0 induces a similar wave in the electron beam, which increases along the beam path and vtransfers high frequency energy from the beam to the electric Wave traveling along the helix to the output wave guide 18. Thus the electric Wave is amplified in its passage between the input guide i and the output guide 1S. Y The helix 12 which functions to remove positive ions from the electron beam is maintained either at a lower potential than the helix 10 as shown in Fig. 1 or, as it may be, at a higher potential than the helix lil and in either case the electric field configuration produced, having radially directed `components transverse to the direction of the electron beam, tends to move positive ions out of the beam and toV either the helix 12 or the heiix 10, depending upon which is atv the lower potential, where they are collected. This tends to preventthe accumulation of ions in the beam to a degree where noise oscillas of the two helices, are different and substantially Yno cou- *Y tions may occur. In this manner the noise current at the output of the tube originating in the electron beam is reduced.

The useof a high potential electron collectorat theV end of the beam path as shown in Fig. l also effects a reduction in output noise currents by reducing the production of secondary electrons b'elow what may be produced with a lower potential. collector. tures of the collector and its mounting which facilitate the radiation of heat and' provide for temperature expan; sion have been described. Y

The utility of the'helical type of ion removing electrode, the high potential electron ,collector and the mechanical features of the' collector is not Ylimited tothe embodiment of Fig; l or to other types of traveling wave ampliers and any or all features ofV the invention may ytind application to other devices employing a long electron Ybeam in which itV is desired to accomplish the results of their use. y Y

What is claimed is: Y Y Y l. An electronic device comprising Van evacuated envelope containing a cathode-and an electron collector spaced apart, electric potential meansv connected Vto said cathode for producing a beam of electrons along an extended path between said cathode and said collector, a high frequency electrical wave propagating circuit comprising ari elongated helix of predetermined `pitch dis-f Y posed along and surrounding said path in proximity theren to, said` wave propagating circuit having an energy input end and an energy output end, insulating support means for said wave propagatingV circuit, an ion removing electrode in the form of a helix surrounding both said electron beam and said Awave propagating circuit,'said ion removing helix having a pitch different from that of said first-mentioned helix whereby the propagation constant pling is .effected between the two, said ion removing helix being yout of `coupling relation with said wave propagating circuit input and output, .said insulating support means supporting Yand positioning said ion removing helix relative tov said wave propagating` circuit, and electric potential means connected to said ion removing helix for maintaining :a difference of direct-'current potential between said circuit and said ion removing helix.

electronic device vcomprising 'anjevacuated envelope c'ontairiingan electron emitter and an electron V collector spaced apart, electric potential means connected to said. emitter for producing' a stream of electrons along an extended path between said emitterY and said collector, a high frequency electrical WaveY transmission Vcircuit having anenergy input end and an energy output end dis'- posed along and surrounding said path in proximity thereto, a helix of conducting material extending along and Y surrounding said path, said helix being'out of energy cou-y pling relation to said wave transmission circuit and out of `sion circuit and that of said helix.

. 3. AV wave amplifying device comprising in combination a wave transmission circuit including a first conductor in the form of an elongated irst helix having an energy input end and an energy output end, nonconductive support means forV said'rst helix, vmeansfor producing a beam of `electrons traveling Vlengthwise of and inside said first helix, a second Aconductor in the Yform of aY second helix surrounding said beamof electrons. andr said rst helix, the pitch of said rs't helix being different from the Y pitchV ofv said second helix whereby the propagation Yconstants of the-two helices arev substantiallyidiiferent and The novel fea-V V substantially no coupling is effected between the two, said second helix being restricted in length so that its ends dq not extend into the coupling regions of said input and output ends of said rst conductor, said support means being adapted to support and position said second conductor relative to said irst conductor, and direct-current potential means connected to said helices for maintaining the two said helices at different direct-current potentials.

4. An electronic device comprising an electron emitter, means connected to said emitter for producing a stream of electrons along a path extending from said emitter, an electrical wave transmission path comprising a irst helical member of conducting material extending along and surrounding said path in coupling relation for signal energy to said stream of electrons, means for applying signal energy to said wave transmission path, a plurality of longitudinal support members of insulating material extending along and bearing against the outer periphery of said rst helical member to support and position said rst helical member, a second helical member of conducting material wound about and supported by said support members, the pitch of said second helical member being substantially different from the pitch of said rst helical member for minimizing signal energy coupling between said helical members, means for establishing an electrical gradient between said helical members to remove ions from said stream of electrons comprising means for maintaining a difference of direct-current potential between said helical members, electron collector means at the end of said helical members remote from said emitter, and means for maintaining said collector means at a substantially higher direct-current potential than either of said helical members.

5. A device according to claim 1 in Which the circuit is maintained at a direct-current potential higher than that of the helix.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,931,874 Mendenhall Oct. 24, 1933 2,064,469 Haeft' Dec. l5, 1936 2,300,052 Lindenblad Oct. 27, 1942 2,578,434 Lindenblad Dec. 11, 1951 2,584,802 Hansell Feb. 5, 1952 2,610,308 Touraton et a1. Sept. 9, 1952 2,615,141 Hansell Oct. 21, 1952 2,652,513 Hollenberg Sept. 15, 1953 2,707,759 Pierce May 3, 1955 

